Posted on 09/22/2005 3:47:19 PM PDT by Crackingham
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign posted a form on its Web site asking Californians for stories about inferior teachers to support the ballot initiative to lengthen teachers' probationary period. The form was then removed Wednesday after an Associated Press reporter called to inquire about it.
Posted on the Web site http://www.joinarnold.com the form asked: "Have a story about a teacher who just might not be cut out for the job, yet nothing can be done because of tenure? Please tell us. We'd like to share the stories of Californians like you!"
It was part of Schwarzenegger's campaign in favor of Proposition 74, which would boost the probationary period for new teachers to five years from two years. The governor argues that it's nearly impossible for districts to get rid of poor teachers who have been in the classroom for years.
Todd Harris, a spokesman for California's Recovery Team, said the campaign "ever even accessed the form. ... There are so many egregious examples of this we never even needed to."
Alliance for a Better California, which is campaigning against Proposition 74 and other measures, had planned a counterattack Thursday in Los Angeles. The group will still demonstrate and launch a Web site praising exceptional teachers, spokeswoman Robin Swanson said.
"Why do teachers have to point out to him that it's a bad idea to attack them? Why are he and his campaign staff playing these sorts of political games?" she said.
"The governor should have more respect for teachers in his state," Swanson said.
Harris said individual examples of problem teachers are a good way to demonstrate the need for a change.
"The overwhelming majority of California's public school teachers are highly skilled and dedicated public servants. But everybody knows that there are a few poor performing teachers who simply don't belong in the classroom," Harris said.
just fire 1 out of every 2 district employees and leave the bad teachers in place.
Hearing Arnie read stories about bad teachers, using his accent and acting skills (limited as they may be) could be extremely entertaining!
Do teachers pushing the homosexual agenda count as bad teachers Arn?
Arnold better get bigger servers...there should be tens of thousands of stories flowing in.
Teachers Union: Bad teachers? Pshaw. There's no such thing. All Governor Schwarzenegger wants to do is waste our time and money on this stupid "democracy" idea. Elections? That's no way to decide things. We tell people what to think, and they listen. It's worked for us all these years, what's the problem?
Ha ha ha ha ha Mary Kay Letourneau--I took a grad class with a first cousin of hers. She said that family gatherings had to be done in 2 shifts--so those that either liked or hated her didnt have to be togther. She said it was TENSE
Why? What have they done to deserve respect?
Schwarzeneggger is a real political bonehead. Anyone who has attended public schools can name at least a dozen "bad teachers". We're all, regardless of political persusion, inclined to be ameniable to reforming the tenure system in public education.
If Schwarzenegger continues his adversarial approach on a personal level he may well lend credibilty to the distortions in the union sponsored. anti-Prop 75 ads and he could well torpedo an honest piece of proposed legisltion that most favored before he got involved last week end.
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